Presented by Jason Pestell
Reviewed 7th March 2018
Jason Pestell: Kmart is Life – we’ve all seen the memes and if you are an avid Kmart shopper than you live by the motto that Kmart should be renamed to “Shut up and take my money” The excitement when the Fringe guide showed that a show was dedicated to the one stop shop for all essential and non essential items you both need and don’t need in your life! The excitement was real, the expectations were high and the curiosity of what said show would talk about was huge. Unfortunatly the disappointment set in rather quickly when the show started with a slide show on a screen only the front two rows could see. Leaning sideways from an aisle seat and trying to figure out what the comments on each photo were, set the tone for the show.
The bargin purchases element was there, however the show went off on several different tangents and it wasn’t really until the last 15 minutes of the show that the funny element of the Kmart show I expected set in. Although the use of the screen again meant you relied on Jason’s commentary to tell you what was on there.
If you are after a show that pokes fun from start to finish about the store that has become a religion then you may well want to put your expectations aside and take it as a comedy show that you will enjoy for the occasional Kmart refrences.
Whilist Comedian Jason Pestell is known for going off track and interacting with his audience it can be a risky move when you become drawn in to one or two audience members at the expense of the rest of the crowd. Because rather than seeing a well rehersed show the audience end up listening to a conversation between a few people.
If you like your comedy raw, go-with-the-flow style and more like an open mic session, then this show will appeal to you. There is no doubt the ending is hilarious and will induce side splitting laughter for Kmart addicts: it’s just a shame that the first three quarters did not emulate the last quarter.
Reviewed by Tara Forbes-Godfrey
Rating out of 5: 3
Venue: Rhino on Raj
Season: 9th-17th March (excluding Monday)
Duration: 50 mins
Tickets: $15- $20
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/jason-pestell-kmart-is-life-af2018
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